Deluge Of Rain Causes Flooding Across Parts Of Tri-State Area
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The rain came down in buckets across the Tri-State area early Sunday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for New York City as well as portions of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York through 11 a.m. Monday.
As CBS2 Meteorologist Elise Finch reported, residents across the region can expect to see spotty showers and heavy thunderstorms overnight through Tuesday morning.
Monday morning's commute looks to be a wet one, and though there will be breaks from the rain throughout the day, more rain is expected to return for the evening commute, Finch reported.
In New Jersey, the downpours caused flooding, leaving many motorists surrounded by rising water.
Newark police shut down Frelinghuysen Avenue near Meeker Avenue due to flood waters, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.
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The storm that passed dropped a large amount of rain and flooded out the intersection, causing at least one car to be trapped. Every one was able to escape the car unharmed, Castro reported.
In Hoboken, the rain made its way into a parking garage, where the drain was completely overwhelmed.
"Pretty normal for Hoboken," said Conor Caffrey. "Normal rain storm and half the city is flooded."
Near 9th Street and Monroe, a small black sedan was stranded in several inches of rain water.
Crews used heavy equipment to push the car to dry ground, then firefighters stepped in to push it over to the side of the road. The driver was a pizza deliver worker out on the job.
It's a scenario Caffrey said he knows all too well.
"We actually lost our car in the hurricane a few years ago so it is an eerie reminder that you have to be careful where you park in town," he said.
And in Elizabeth, heavy rain flooded out several streets and caused cars to hydroplane, Castro reported. Trash cans could be seen floating through the streets and people walking had to make their way through knee-high water.
As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported, drivers along the Saw Mill River Parkway maneuvered through pools of water, careful not to hydroplane.
Elmsford police used flares to block off the on-ramp to the parkway as pedestrians took cover underneath a bridge.
"When we get these rapid rains and these storm surges, this area ends up flooding," said Leo Cattarini, owner of Rini's Restaurant and Wine Bar.
Cattarini's restaurant is right next to the Saw Mill River in Elmsford. He's been there for nearly 20 years and said he's sustained damage to his business due to flooding from bad storms.
"You always worry about it a couple days before. When they start predicting the massive storms, then I get nervous," he said. "The day of, there's really nothing you can do. But the days prior you get nervous."
In Chappequa, lighting lit up the ominous sky. And over in Nyack along I-87 near the Tappan Zee Bridge, mud poured onto the highway.
On Long Island, flooding closed the Long Island Expressway in both directions at Utopia Parkway in Queens and an entrance ramp on the Jackie Robinson Parkway at Union Turnpike.
The high water slowed traffic on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and suspended or delayed some Staten Island Railway service.
LaGuardia Airport reported air traffic disruptions because of the rains, as did Newark Liberty International Airport.
Police across the region are urging caution on the roads.
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